The Indian players have an optional practice set for this Saturday after the first Test concludes in three days. On Sunday, they will take a flight to Cape Town. It is anticipated that the players, some of whom are joined by their families, would stay inside and enjoy the start of the New Year with one another.
All of the India A players have been scheduled to travel on Saturday, along with Rinku Singh, who was not invited to the first Test but was nonetheless released. As a fielder in the Centurion Test, Rinku was co-opted into the team since the strength of the Indian Test team declined from 16 to 14 following the withdrawal of Ruturaj Gaikwad and Mohammed Shami, who did not travel to South Africa.
Not quite fit was Ravindra Jadeja among the reserves. The only people that covered for the playing XI were Mukesh Kumar and KS Bharat, who took over for Ishan Kishan. In light of this, the squad decided to include Rinku in the field.
There is enough protection for any unforeseen circumstances on the pitch for the second and final Test in Cape Town, with Avesh Khan (who took over for Shami) and Abhimanyu Easwaran (who is playing in the India A-South Africa A match until Friday) joining the team. Easwaran and Khan have both arrived in Johannesburg to join the team. It is also learned that Jadeja will be available for selection for the Newlands Test, which is scheduled to begin on January 3.
SA’s Indian team will have a low-key New Year’s celebration.
The Indian players in South Africa will be having a fairly low-key New Year’s party. It is understandable that the Indian squad is not in a good mood after losing the first Test match in Centurion, but more than that, they have been told to proceed with care.
This advice is given in view of security issues in South African cities, where a variety of street crimes, including robberies, muggings, thefts, snatchings, and pick-pocketing, are frequently seen. A player confided in Cricbuzz, saying, “Not serious but the general safety precautions we have to take, as usual.”
As a preventive step, none of the players will be present during the Year-End celebrations in Cape Town, which are renowned for their carnival-like events at the famous Waterfront. That being said, Cape Town is a safer city than other parts of South Africa.
According to reports, the third quarter of this year’s crime data highlights difficulties that law enforcement faces when dealing with violent crimes. A report claims that in 2022–2023 the nation’s per capita murder rate increased by 50% from 2012–13 to 45 per 100,000, the highest level in 20 years.
On January 8, the Indian squad is expected to return home.